Paper slitting and stacking device



March 20, 1934. J, ANTHQNY 1,951,389

PAPER SLITTING AND STACKING DEVICE Filed July 22. 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet l 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Joseph F. Anthony Y Hit CWMMQ March 1934. J. F. ANTHONY PAPER SLITTING AND STACKING DEVICE Filed July 22. 1932 "Lit- PAPER SLITTING AND STACKING DEVICE I Filed July 22. 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 B Joseph F, Anthony March 20, 1934. J. F. ANTHONY 1,951,389

PAPER SLITTING AND STACKING DEVICE Filed July 22. 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Joseph F. Anthony His cit/W gnvcmfoz March 20, 1934. J T O Y 1,951,389

PAPER SLITTING AND STACKING DEVICE Filed July 22. 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 9

gwmzntoz Joseph F. Anthony y Hi8 Clbkoumq Patented Mar. 20, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1,951,389 PAPER SLITTING AND STACKiNG DEVICE Application July 22, 1932, Serial No. 623,996

18 Claims.

This invention relates to an automatic stacking device for use in connection with a machine adapted to slit paper or like material into several parts, said stacking device being arranged to stack the severed parts in sequential order.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a slitting machine, adapted to cut a sheet containing several sequentially numbered checks into as many individual checks, with an automatic stacking device arranged to stack the severed checks in sequential order and deposit them in a suitable receptacle.

Another object is to provide a check feeding and slitting device having means for advancing the material to be slit to said device with an automatic stacking device which is rendered effective by said advancing means.

Another object is to supply an electrically driven check feeding and slitting device, having means for advancing the material to be slit to said device, with an automatic stacking device which is eifectively coupled to the electrical driving means by the advancing means.

With these and incidental objects in view, the

invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and a preferred form of embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form part of this specification.

Of said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View of the complete machine.

Fig. 2 is a top plan fragmentary view of the feeding and slitting machine table showing the mechanism for advancing the material to be slit, to the feeding and slitting mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 33 (Fig. 2) looking in the direction of the arrows and illustrates in detail the check sheet advancing mechanism.

Fig. i is a top plan view picturing the automatic stacking mechanism.

Fig. 5 is an elevation showing in detail the inclined pockets of the automatic stacking device.

Fig. 6 is a rear elevation showing the means for driving the feeding, slitting, and the automatic stacking mechanisms.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view illustrating in detail the mechanism for releasing the automatic stacking device.

Fig. 8 is a front view of the clutch for the automatic stacking mechanism.

Fig. 9 is a top plan view picturing a modified GENERAL DESCRIPTION In the case of large concerns where there are a great number of payroll checks, dividend checks or the like, to be issued on a certain day, it is customary, in order to reduce work, to use checks printed in strips or sheets. In this case let us assume that there are fivechecks to each strip, and a backing sheet with an interposed carbon for the purpose of keeping a duplicate record of each check issued.

The several strips which form the payroll, dividend payments, or the like, of a certain concern, are first run through an addressograph machine where the names of the payees are printed upon the individual checks in alphabetical order. Maintaining the alphabetical order, the strips are next run through a National class 2000 register of the well-known bank type where the amount, date, signature and a consecutive number are printed upon the individual checks. The backing sheets and interposed carbons are next separated from the strips of checks. The strips are now ready to be cut into individual checks and stacked successively and the object of this invention is to furnish suitable means for accomplishing this purpose.

The operator having the several strips at hand arranged in successive order feeds them one at a time through a slitting machine where they are cut into individual checks and deposited upon the receiving table of an automatically operated stacking device which stacks the several checks in sequential order and deposits them in a suitable receptacle. The automatic stacking mechanism and as much of the slitting mechanism as necessary will be treated fully in the detailed description following.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION S Zitting mechanism Inasmuch as the instant invention is directed particularly to the automatic stacking device only a brief description will be given of the feeding and slitting mechanism.

Calling attention to Fig. 1 the feeding and slitting mechanism is supported upon a base 29 to which is secured side frames 30 and 31 connected by a cross frame 32 (Figs. 4 and 6). A motor 33 (Figs. 1 and (i) secured to the cross frame 32 through suitable gearing drives a shaft 34 geared to a driven shaft 35. The shafts 34 and 35 (see also Fig. 3) are arranged one over the other and parallel to each other and are rotatably mounted between the side frames 30 and 31. Each shaft is equipped with suitable feed rolls, those on one shaft adapted to contact with those on the other to feed the check sheets or strips past slitting disks or cutters 37 (Fig. 3) also fast on the shafts 34 and 35. The edges of each pair of opposed slitting disks 37 overlap and lie in contact with each other in the usual manner.

Strip advancing mechanism A feed table 38 (Figs. 1, 2 and 3) mounted on a rectangular bar 39 secured to frames 30 and 31 is slightly inclined toward the bite of the feed rolls, not shown, but mounted on the shafts 34 and 35 coaxially with the cutters 37. The table 38 (Figs. 2and 3) has transverse slots 40 and 41 adapted to receive guide strips 49 carried by guides 42 and 43 which are in turn secured to an angled feeding bar 44 to hold the latter parallel at all times with the feeding and slitting shafts 34 and 35. The forward ends of the guides 42 and 43 are supported by a pair of slotted straps 45 secured to the bottom of the table 38. The forward ends of the guides 42 and 43 are bent at right angles to form camming rails 46 and 47 respectively, adapted to engage studs 48 and 49 fast in arms 50 and 51 respectively secured to a guard rail 52. The arms 50 and 51 are pivoted on studs 53 and 54 carried by brackets 55 and 56 secured to the rectangular bar 39.

The guides 42 and 43 (Figs. 2 and 3) extend across the transverse slots 40 and 41 to hold the feeding bar 44 in place against the top surface of the feed table 38. Springs 57 and 58 are tensioned to return the feeding bar 44 rearwardly to its normal position, which position is determined by a pair of studs 59 carried by guides 42 and 43 contacting a pair of felt pads 36 supported by the straps 45. The forward feeding movement of the bar 44 is limited by the forward ends of the guides 42 and 43 contacting the rectangular bar 39.

Secured to the side frames 38 and 31 is a cover 60 (Figs. 1 and 3) adapted to cover the slitting cutters 37 and the feeding rolls. An opening between the cover and the feeding table 38, through which the check strip is advanced to the feeding rolls, is normally closed by the guard rail 52. The rail 52 is held in its normal position by springs 61 and 62 (Fig. 2) which position is determined by the arms 59 and 51 contacting rubber bumpers (not shown) secured to the bar 39.

Adjustable parallel guides 63 and 64 (Fig. 2) are provided for locating the check strips in proper lateral relation with the slitting cutters 37.

Adjustable feeding pawls Quite often different concerns desire to use a check with a detachable stub, such stub being used for the recording of earnings, payroll deductions, etc. The feeding bar 44 is properly spaced from the guard rail 52 to accommodate check strips with stubs attached. However, as some concerns desire to use payroll checks Without the detachable stub, means have been provided for accommodating the shorter length check strip. Such means will now be described.

The guides 42 and 43 (Figs. 2 and '3) have down- Wardly extending projections 65 and 86 to which are pivoted pawls 67 and 68. Each of the pawls 67 and 68 has two notches arranged to cooperate With a hump 69 on each of a pair of fiat springs 70 secured to the guides 42 and 43. The pawls 67 and 68 have upwardly extending arms 71 and 72 adapted to extend through slots in the guides 42 and 43 and through the slots 40 and 41 in the table 38. The pawls 67 and 68 also have downwardly extending finger pieces to facilitate adjustment. It will be seen by observing Fig. 3 that the springs 79 cooperating with the notches in the pawls 67 and 68 maintain said pawls in either of their adjusted positions.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 3 the pawls 67 and 68 are shown in effective positions with the extensions 71 and 72 protruding through the slots 40 and 41 in the table 38. When the extensions 71 and 72 are so raised, they force the check strip forwardly towards the cutters 37 upon movement of the feeding bar 44 by the operator. Rotating the pawls counter clockwise until the rearward notches engage the humps 69 on the springs 79 lowers the extensions 71 and 72 to ineffective positions below the top surface of the table 38 thus permitting a wider check sheet or strip to be placed on the table to be fed forwardly directly by the feeding bar 44.

Clutch mechanism Calling attention to Figs. 2 and 7, the feeding bar 44 carries a clutch release bar 73 which extends through a slot 88 in the table 38 and is maintained in proper position against the lower side of said table 38 by a strap 74 which is slotted to cooperate with the forward end of said release bar 73. The bar 73 (Figs. 6 and 7) has a downwardly extending projection 75 to which is pivoted a clutch release by pass cam 76 maintained in normal position by a spring 77. The cam 76 has a rail 89 adapted to cooperate with a roller 78 mounted on a right angled extension of a clutch release lever 79 pivoted on a stud 80 carried by a bracket 81 secured to the bottom of the table 38.

Secured in an arm 82 of the lever 79 is a stud 83 arranged to cooperate with a notch 84 in a clutch control lever 85 pivoted at 85 to the frame of the motor 33. The lever 85 (Figs. 6 and 8) has a right angled projection 87 adapted to cooperate with the upper end of a clutch arm 90 pivoted on a stud 91 carried by a clutch driven member 92 rotatably mounted on a stud 93 cararm 90 is a bell crank 94 carrying a stud 95 adapted to cooperate with the free end of a clutch band 96, the other end of which is secured to the clutch driven member 92. ranged to cooperate with the inner surface of a clutch driving member 97 rotatably mounted on the stud 93. The periphery of the driving member 97 (Fig. 9) has cut therein teeth (not shown) adapted to cooperate with a worm wheel (not shown) secured on the armature shaft of the motor 33.

Directing attention to Figs. 2 and 7, moving the feeding bar 44 forward to advance a check strip to the feeding and slitting mechanism causes the The band 95 is arinner surface of the rail 89 of the by pass cam 76 to wipe past the roller 78, flexing the spring 77. When the rail 89 passes beyond the roller 78 the spring 77 restores the cam 76 to its normal position. Return movement or" the bar 44 causes the outer surface of the rail 89 to engage the roller 78 and rock the lever 79 clockwise thereby forcing the stud 83 out of the notch 84 in the lever 85. Removing the stud 83 from the notch 84 allows the lever 85 to be rocked counter clockwise by a torsion spring 98 (Fig. 6) to remove the extension 87 (Fig. 8) away from the upper end of the arm 90, whereupon the arm 90 is rocked counter clockwise by a spring 99 which in turn allows the band 96 to expand and grip the inner surface of the clutch driving member 97. This effectively couples the clutch driven member 92 to the clutch driving member 97 which rotates constantly in a counter clockwise direction as long as current is being supplied to the motor 33. It will be understood that while the clutch mechanism for the check stacking device is driven by the same motor that drives the check feeding and slitting mechanism, still these two driving mechanisms are separate and distinct and in no way dependent upon each other.

The clutch driven member 92 is disengaged from the driving member 97 after one complete revolution by means of the extension 87 being engaged by the arm 90 thereby contracting the band 96. The lever 85 (Fig. 8) is restored to effective position near the middle of a revolution by means of a stud 100, secured in an arm 102 carried by the clutch driven member 92, engaging a camniing extension 101 on the lever 85. Restoring the lever 85 to normal position allows the stud 83 (Fig. 7) to re-engage the notch 84, when the lever 79 is rocked counter clockwise by a spring 103, to retain said lever 85 in its normal position.

Referring to Fig. 6, pivoted to the frame of the motor 33 is an arm 104 having a camming surface 105 arranged to cooperate with a roller 106 rotat ably mounted on the stud 100 (see also Fig. 8) Interpcsed between the motor frame and the arm 104 is a compression spring 107 tensioned to urge the arm 104 upward to a position where the camming surface 105 is in the path of the roller 106. The location of the arm 104 is such that the roller 106 passes beyond the peak of the camming surface 105 just after the arm 90 engages the extension 87 on the lever 85. The spring 107 in conjunction with the camming surface 105 and the roller 106 counteracts the action of the spring 99 thereby retaining the clutch band 96 in its contracted or released position.

The above described motor, clutch mechanism and clutch engaging mechanism are similar to those used on the well known Ellis accounting machines, and for a further description of these mechanism reference may be had to Letters Patent of the United States No. 1,601,102 issued September 28, 1926 to F. W. Bernau.

Automatic stacking device Calling attention to Figs. 6 and 8, the clutch driven member 92 carries a stud 110 supporting a roller 111 adapted to cooperate with a camming surface 112 on a reciprocating slide 113. The slide 113 is reciprocably mounted upon a bracket 114 secured to the cross frame 32 by means of a plurality of horizontal slots 108 embracing. a plurality of headed studs 109 carried by said bracket 114. The slide 113 has a horizontal extension 115 (Fig. 41) with a plurality of teeth adapted to cooperate with a toothed sector of a lever 116 pivoted on a stud 117 carried by the bracket 114. The lever 116 has a slot 156 adapted to cooperate with a stud 118 in a stacking slide 119 slidably supported by parallel rods 120 and 121. The rods 120 and 121 are horizontally supported in parallel alinement between the ends of the box-like body of the check stacking device.

The check stacking device, which is virtually a. distinct unit rests upon the base 29 (Figs. 1 and 4) and is secured in proper alinement with the feeding and slitting mechanism by means of a screw 158, bolt 159 and wing nut 160 which clamp the body of the stacking device to the frame of the feeding and slitting mechanism.

The slide 119 has upright arms 122 and 123 extending through parallel slots 125 and 126 in the receiving table of the stacking device. The slots and 126 transverse a plurality of inclined pockets 127 arranged in saw-tooth fashion on top of the receiving table of the stacking device. These inclined pockets terminate in a receiving well 128 containing a drawer 129, the high part of each inclined pocket facing said receiving well.

OPERATION The check strips to be severed are first placed upon a shelf 130 (Fig. 1) conveniently located directly above the table of the slitting machine. The electric motor 33 is then started, thus placing the feeding and slitting mechanism and driving member of the clutch mechanism in operation. One of the check strips is then placed upon the table 38 within the lateral guides 63 and 64 (see also Fig. 2) and against the guard rail 52. Moving the feeding bar is forward by means of a finger-piece 131 lowers the guard rail 52 and advances the check strip to the feeding and slitting mechanism. As the checks are slit they are directed downward by the cover 60, the extreme right hand check (Fig. 1) being deposited in the drawer 129 and the remaining checks in the inclined pockets 127. Adjustably mounted upon the receiving table of the stacking device is a guard 132 (see also Fig. 4;) which retains the severed checks within the inclined pockets 127. This guard may be adjusted to accommodate different length checks.

Referring to Fig. 7, as the feeding bar 44 is advanced the inner surface of the rail 89 on the cam 76 wipes idly past the roller 78, flexing the spring 77. Return movement of the bar 44 causes the outer surface of the cam 76 to engage the roller 78 to rock the lever 79 clockwise to release the clutch engaging mechanism as previously explained. As the clutch driven member 92 is rotated counter clockwise in unison with the clutch driving member 97 the roller 111 (Fig. 6) en gages the camming surface 112 on the slide 113, forcing said slide toward the left. This movement of the slide 113 (Fig. l) rocks the lever 116 clockwise causing the stacking slide 119 to move toward the right across the inclined pockets 127.

As the stacking slide 119 advances from left to right the abrupt faces of the arms 122 and 123, which extend above the inclined pockets 127 (Figs. 1 and 5) contact the lower edge of the lefthand check carrying it up the incline of the first pocket and depositing it in the second pocket on the check therein. These two checks are then forced 1 up the incline of the second pocket and deposited in the third pocket upon the check in that pocket, and so on until at the end the pile of four checks is pushed up the incline of the last pocket and dropped into the well 128 upon the checks 7 32 (Fig. 10).

therein. Thus it will be seen that the checks will pile up in the drawer 129 in sequential order, which is the result desired.

A retaining bail 133 (Figs. 1, 4 and 5) pivoted in holes in the arms 122 and 123 and positioned by studs 134 and 135, also in the arms 122 and 123, travels along the top of the inclined pockets 127 to prevent the checks from fluttering out of said pockets during initial movement of the slide 119.

Spring bumpers 136 (Fig. 4) are provided upon the rods 120 and 121 to check the slide 119 at the terminus of its initial movement and felt washers 13'! are provided upon the rods 120 and 121 to absorb the shock and stop the stacking slide at the terminus of its return movement.

Calling attention to Figs. 4, 5 and 6, as the stacking slide 119 reaches the terminus of its initial movement the roller 111 passes beyond the camming surface 112, thus abandoning the stacking mechanism to the action of a spring 138 tensioned between a bracket 139 secured to the frame 30 and an arm 140 carried by the lever 116. The spring 138 then returns the stacking slide 119 and connecting mechanism to normal position.

MODIFIED FORM Figs. 9, l0 and 11 well illustrate a modified form of driving mechanism for the check stacking device. This driving mechanism differs from that of the preferred form in that the initial and return movements of the stacking slide are controlled by a cam member secured to the clutch driven member, whereas in the preferred form the return movement of the stacking slide is spring controlled. The modified form of driving mechanism will now be described.

Referring to Figs. 10 and 11, the clutch driven member 92 has secured therein a stud 157 which fits loosely in a hole in a cam 141 rotatably mounted upon a bushing 142 secured on the stud 33. The cam 141 has a cam slot 143 adapted to cooperate with a roller 144 carried by a pitman 145. The pitman 145 is slidably mounted by means of a slot 146 which embraces a reduced portion of a bushing 142 and by a right angled plate 147 (Fig. 9) having a slot 148 which embraces a stud 149 carried by a bracket 150 secured to the cross frame The bracket 159 (Figs. 9 and 10) carries a stud 151 upon which is pivoted a lever 152. The lever 152 has adjustably mounted thereon a segment 153 having a plurality of teeth 154 adapted to cooperate with rack teeth 155 of the plate 147. The lever 152 has a slot similar to the slot 156 (Fig. 4) in the lever 116 which cooperates with the stud 118 in the stacking slide 119.

The same releasing mechanism for the clutch engaging mechanism is employed in both the preferred and modified forms. In other words, the return movement of the feeding bar 44 (Fig. '7) releases the clutch engaging mechanism allowing the clutch driven member 92 (Fig. 9) and the cam 141 to make one complete revolution in unison with the clutch driving member 97.

Calling attention to Fig. 10, as the cam 141 makes one complete revolution the cam slot 143 coacting with the roller 144 causes the pitman 145 to reciprocate, first toward the left and then back to normal position, as shown in Fig. 10. This in turn causes the lever 152 to oscillate first in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 9 and then counter clockwise to normal position. The oscillation of the lever 152 causes the stacking slide 119 to make its initial stacking movement toward the right and its return movement toward the left. This eliminates the use of a spring such as is used in the preferred form for returning the stacking mechanism to normal position.

While the forms of mechanisms herein shown and described are admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the forms of embodiment herein disclosed, for it is susceptible of embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:

1. In a machine adapted to feed a strip of material and slit the same into a plurality of parts, the combination of means for presenting the strip to the feeding and slitting means; a stacking device to stack the plurality of parts in a single stack; and means controlled by the presenting means for starting the stacking device after the 96 material has been slit in the plurality of parts.

2. In a machine of the class described having slitting means and means for feeding material through the slitting means, the combination of means for presenting material to the feeding and slitting means; a stacking device, idle during said feeding and slitting operation; and means controlled by the return movement of the presenting means for starting the stacking device.

3. In a machine adapted to feed a strip of material and slit the same into several parts, the combination of means for automatically stacking the several parts into a single stack; means for presenting the strip to the feeding and slitting means; means for returning the presenting means to normal position; and means controlled by the returning means for starting the automatic stacking means.

4. In a machine of the class described having means for feeding a strip of impression receiving material and means for slitting the strip into several parts, the combination of automatic means for stacking the several parts; means for advancing the strip to the feeding and slitting means; yieldable means for returning the advancing means to normal position; and means on the advancing means effective during the return movement thereof for causing the automatic stacking means to operate.

5. In a machine of the class described having 1 5 means for slitting a check strip into individual checks and means for feeding the strip thru the slitting means, the combination of automatic means for stacking the individual checks in sequential order; a reciprocable slide for advancing the strip to the feeding and slitting means; yieldable means for returning the slide to normal position after each advancing operation; and a member on the advancing means effective during return movement thereof for causing the automatic stacking means to function.

6. In a machine of the class described having means for slitting a check strip into individual checks and means for feeding the strip through the slitting means, the combination of means for stacking the individual checks in a single stack and in sequential order; means for driving the stacking means; and automatic means for operatively connecting the driving means to the stacking means immediately after the strip is slit into individual checks.

7. In a machine of the class described having means for severing a strip of material into a plurality of parts and means for feeding the strip through the severing means, the combination of 150 normally idle means for stacking the severed parts into a single stack; and automatic means for causing the stacking means to operate after the strip is severed.

8. In a machine of the class described having means for cutting a sheet of impression receiving material into several parts and means for feeding the sheet to the cutting means, the combination of automatic means for stacking the several parts in sequential order; driving means for the stacking means; means for effectively coupling the driving means to the automatic stacking means; and means for render ng the coupling means effective after the sheet is cut.

9. In a machine of the class described having means for cutting a strip of checks into individual checks and means for feeding the strip through the cutting means, the combination of means for stacking the checks in sequential order; a continuously-running driving means for the stacking means; means for coupling the stacking means to the driving means; means for advancing the strip to the feeding and cutting means; and means controlled by the advancing means for rendering the coupling means eifective.

10. In a machine of the class described having means for cutting a strip of checks into individual checks and means for feeding the strips through the cutting means, the combination of means for stacking the severed checks in sequential order; a continuously-running driving means for the feeding, cutting and stacking means; a clutch member for coupling the driving means to the stacking means; means for advancing the strip to the feeding and cutting means; and means controlled by the return movement of the advancing means for rendering the clutch member effective.

11. In a machine of the class described having means for severing a strip of checks into individual checks and means for feeding the strip through the severing means, the combination of inclined receptacles for receiving the severed checks; a sliding member arranged to traverse the trays to stack the checks in sequential order; driving means for the sliding member; a clutch on the driving means; means for advancing the strip to the feeding and cutting means; means operated by the advancing means upon return movement of the same for releasing the clutch mear and means intermediate the clutch and the sliding member for operatively connecting the two.

12. In a machine of the class described having means for slitting a strip of checks into individual checks and means for feeding the strip through the slitting means, the combination of inclined receptacles for the severed checks; 2. reciprocating member adapted to traverse the receptacles to stack the severed checks in sequential order; continuously running driving means for the reciprocating member; a clutch on said driving means havhig a driving and a driven member; means including a rack and a lever intermediate the clutch driven member and the reciprocating member; means for advancing the strip to the feeding and slitting means; and means on the advancing means effective on the return movement thereof for releasing the clutch to cause the reciprocating member to function.

13. In a machine of the class described having means for slitting a strip of checks into individual checks and means for feeding the strip through the slitting means, the combination of inclined receptacles for the severed checks; a reciprocating member adapted to traverse the inclined receptacles to stack the severed checks in sequential order; driving means for the reciprocating member; a clutch on said driving means having a driving and a driven member; means intermediate the clutch driven member and the reciprocating member whereby release of the clutch causes the reciprocating member to perform its stacking movement; and means for returning the reciprocating member to normal position.

i i. In a machine of the class described having means for cutting a strip of checks into individual checks and means for feeding the strip through the cutting means, the combination of inclined receptacles for the severed checks; a reciprocating member having two cycles of movement, adapted to traverse the receptacle to stack the severed checks in sequential order; continuouslyrunning driving means for the reciprocating member; clutch means on the driving means; means including a slidable rack, and a toothed lever intermediate the clutch and reciprocating member, whereby releasing the clutch subsequent to the slitting of the check strip causes the reciprocating member to perform its first cycle of movement; and yieldable means for causing the reciprocating member to perform its second cycle of movement.

15. In a machine of the class described having means for slitting a strip of checks into individual checks and means for feeding the strip through the slitting means, the combination of inclined receptacles for the severed checks; a reciprocating member adapted to traverse the receptacles to stack the severed checks in sequential order; continuously-running driving means for the reciprocating member; a clutch on the driving means; means for advancing the strip to the feeding and slitting means; means on the advancing means for the releasing of the clutch; means for operatively connecting the clutch and the reciprocating member for effecting the initial movement of the latter; and yieldable means for returning the reciprocating member to normal position.

16. In a machine of the class described having means for slitting a strip of checks into individual checks and means for feeding the strip to the cutting means, the combination of means for stacking the severed checks in sequential order, said stacking means having two cycles of movement; driving means for the stacking means; means for advancing the strip to the feeding and slitting means; means made effective by the advancing means for operatively connecting the driving means and the stacking means during the first cycle of movement of the latter; and yieldable means for causing the stacking means to perform its second cycle of movement.

17. In a machine of the class described having means for slitting a strip of checks into individual checks and means for feeding the strip to the slitting means, the combination of means for stacking the severed checks in sequential order, said stacking means having an initial stacking movement, and an idle return movement; driving means for the stacking means; means for advancing the strip to the feeding and slitting means; yieldable means for automatically returning the advancing means to normal position; means made effective by the return movement of the advancing means for operatively connecting the driving and stacking means for effecting initial movement of the latter; and yieldable means for returning the stacking means to normal position.

18. In a machine of the class described having ing means, normally disconnected from the means for slitting a strip of checks into individual stacking means; and automatic means for operachecks and means for feeding the strip through tively connecting the driving means to the stackthe slitting means, the combination of means for ing means subsequent to the severing of a check stacking the severed checks in sequential order; strip into individual checks driving means for the feeding, slitting and stack- JOSEPH F. ANTHONY. 

